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Carbohydrates, glycemic index and diabetes mellitus

Sugar-containing beverage intake in toddlers and body composition up to age 6 years: The Generation R Study

Abstract

Background/Objective:

Intake of sugar-containing beverages (SCBs) has been associated with higher body mass index (BMI) in childhood. The potential effect of SCB intake during infancy is unclear. We examined the association of SCB intake at 13 months with BMI development until 6 years and body composition at age 6 years.

Subjects/Methods:

This study included 2371 Dutch children from a population-based prospective cohort study. SCB intake at 13 months was assessed using a Food Frequency Questionnaire with validation against 24-h recalls and was standardized for total energy. BMI was calculated from repeated weight and height measurements, and age- and sex-specific s.d. scores were calculated. Adiposity was measured using Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry.

Results:

In girls, higher SCB intake at 13 months was significantly associated with higher BMI at ages 2, 3, 4 and 6 years (at age 6 years BMI (s.d. score) increase 0.11 (95% confidence interval (CI) +0.00; 0.23), high versus low intake). We observed a tendency towards higher android/gynoid fat ratio in girls with high intake (s.d. increase 0.14 (95% CI −0.02; 0.29), versus low intake) but not with body fat percentage. In boys, there was no association with BMI or body composition, but boys with high SCB intake at 13 months were taller at age 6 years (s.d. increase 0.14 (95% CI +0.00; 0.27), versus low intake).

Conclusions:

Higher SCB intake at 13 months was associated with higher BMI up to age 6 years in girls but not in boys. Our results imply that the unfavorable effects of SCB intake start early in life and that dietary advice regarding limiting SCB intake should already be given early in life.

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Acknowledgements

The Generation R Study is conducted by the Erasmus Medical Center in close collaboration with the School of Law and Faculty of Social Sciences of the Erasmus University Rotterdam, the Municipal Health Service Rotterdam area, the Rotterdam Homecare Foundation and the Stichting Trombosedienst and Artsenlaboratorium Rijnmond (STAR). We gratefully acknowledge the contribution of participating mothers and children, general practitioners, hospitals, midwives and pharmacies in Rotterdam. The Generation R Study is made possible by financial support from the Erasmus Medical Centre, Rotterdam, the Erasmus University Rotterdam and the Netherlands Organization for Health Research and Development. Vincent WV Jaddoe received an additional grant from the Netherlands Organization for Health Research and Development (ZonMw–VIDI 016.136.361). Elisabeth TM Leermakers, Nicole S Erler, Oscar H Franco and Jessica C Kiefte-de Jong work in ErasmusAGE, a center for aging research across the life course funded by Nestlé Nutrition (Nestec Ltd), Metagenics Inc. and AXA. Nestlé Nutrition (Nestec Ltd), Metagenics Inc. and AXA had no role in design and conduct of the study, collection, management, analysis and interpretation of the data and preparation, review or approval of the manuscript.

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Correspondence to J C Kiefte-de Jong.

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Oscar H Franco received a grant from Nestlé Nutrition (Nestec Ltd), Metagenics Inc. and AXA to establish an ageing research center called ErasmusAGE. All the other authors declare no conflict of interest.

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Supplementary Information accompanies this paper on European Journal of Clinical Nutrition website

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Leermakers, E., Felix, J., Erler, N. et al. Sugar-containing beverage intake in toddlers and body composition up to age 6 years: The Generation R Study. Eur J Clin Nutr 69, 314–321 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1038/ejcn.2015.2

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